Sub $100 Headphone

[BoredErica]

Hi.

 

I'm thinking of getting a friend a headphone as a present for Christmas/birthday. I know he prefers a balanced sound (he's not a serious basshead or treblehead). I also know he prefers open headphones, although I'm not sure how many good open headphones there are under $100. Portability is not a big factor. Noise isolation is also not really important. My two ideas are either the CHC Silverados for $50 or the ATH M40X for $90. Which headphone do you think is best, or maybe suggest one that's not on my short list if you think I have it backwards.

 

Thanks.

[EmoRarity]

CHC's for sure. 

[bob345]

For $50, the chc silverados have been one of my best purchases i have ever made. You wont get better for the price. The build quality is phenomenal along with the sound quality. Noise isolation is great too, the block out enough noise to comfortably listen to music on a plane. They also do not need an amp to reach their full potential like some other high end headphones.( Yes, i would classify these as high end) 

[daemonowner]

Sennheiser HD518's?

[bob345]

Sennheiser HD518's?

having used both the chc's and the 518's, i have to say that i like the chc's better. the hd518's are great headphones though

[notkip]

honestly i know we aren't supposed to "self promote" our ads but i  wouldnt consider this a post intended explicitly to advertise the headphones either since its also to help you out and interject a new pair of headphones into the debate. but i was thinking of dropping the price on my ad700x's i have in the classifieds and i think i could do $100 shipped as long as the shipping isn't over like $20 (and i'd give you a break if the shipping is under that). so if you'd be interested in getting him those that offer stands.

[daemonowner]

having used both the chc's and the 518's, i have to say that i like the chc's better. the hd518's are great headphones though

I'll be the first to admit I'm not an audiophile. My HD518's are my first pair of headphones. They seem to fit the bill of what the OP is looking for, and I'm happy enough with them, so I suggested them. Since you've used more than one pair of headphones, your opinion automatically takes precedence over mine.

[BoredErica]

honestly i know we aren't supposed to "self promote" our ads but i  wouldnt consider this a post intended explicitly to advertise the headphones either since its also to help you out and interject a new pair of headphones into the debate. but i was thinking of dropping the price on my ad700x's i have in the classifieds and i think i could do $100 shipped as long as the shipping isn't over like $20 (and i'd give you a break if the shipping is under that). so if you'd be interested in getting him those that offer stands.

I don't mind your post. If the headphones were for me and I had as crappy headphones as my friend, I would have bought the AD700x. I heard they are really good if serious FPS is an interest. But my friend doesn't really play online FPS. He just does music and mobas, lol.

 

 

==

If the CHCs are that good, why do people bother to talk about M40x, it seems M40x and M50x still get all the traffic.  :blink:

[notkip]

I don't mind your post. If the headphones were for me and I had as crappy headphones as my friend, I would have bought the AD700x. I heard they are really good if serious FPS is an interest. But my friend doesn't really play online FPS. He just does music and mobas, lol.

 

 

==

If the CHCs are that good, why do people bother to talk about M40x, it seems M40x and M50x still get all the traffic.  :blink:

no problem man, i just thought i'd throw it out there as an option

[Guest]

I don't mind your post. If the headphones were for me and I had as crappy headphones as my friend, I would have bought the AD700x. I heard they are really good if serious FPS is an interest. But my friend doesn't really play online FPS. He just does music and mobas, lol.

 

 

==

If the CHCs are that good, why do people bother to talk about M40x, it seems M40x and M50x still get all the traffic.  :blink:

 

dat overhype.

[BoredErica]

dat overhype.

I thought you look at the M40x much more favorably though.

[EmoRarity]

I don't mind your post. If the headphones were for me and I had as crappy headphones as my friend, I would have bought the AD700x. I heard they are really good if serious FPS is an interest. But my friend doesn't really play online FPS. He just does music and mobas, lol.

 

 

==

If the CHCs are that good, why do people bother to talk about M40x, it seems M40x and M50x still get all the traffic.  :blink:

Because the M40x is better in its own way. The CHC also has its draw backs, including a semi shit cable, and its decently heavy. I love my pair, been using it none stop for the past week.  (Yes, SSL, I have been using my big Shures tonight like I said I would, kinda forgot what I was missing.) 

If I wasn't beyond flatass broke and didn't use them so often, I would let you demo my pair. 

 

[NannerBeans]

Pioneer SE-A1000 is pretty good if you want open and balanced although they do lack in bass a little. For neutral closed maybe try Sony MDR7506 or Shure 440 but CHC Silverados are great headphones too. Just make sure his head is huge because the cups are smaller in person than in the pictures. I would say they are just as small as the M40/M50 so they are half on ear and not over. 

[EmoRarity]

Pioneer SE-A1000 is pretty good if you want open and balanced although they do lack in bass a little. For neutral closed maybe try Sony MDR7506 or Shure 440 but CHC Silverados are great headphones too. Just make sure his head is huge because the cups are smaller in person than in the pictures. I would say they are just as small as the M40/M50 so they are half on ear and not over. 

I can wear a MOE as a mostly over ear, and I didn't find it to be that big. Smaller then a 500 series. 

[CeePee]

I bought the Superlux HD681 Evo recently (35 euros) and the sound is ridiculously good for what you're paying.

The bass goes really deep and the highest trebles aren't bad like the non-Evo version.

 

Friends who've tried them on have guessed the price well over 100 euros just by judging the sound.

 

Pros:

Swappable 1 or 3m cable

Swappable velour pads (default is leather)

Sound quality

Price

 

Cons:

For me the clamping force isn't too comfortable, but I did swap from headphones that just sat on the head.

Build quality is purely plastic, but I just use them home on computer anyways

[Guest]

I thought you look at the M40x much more favorably though.

 

Mainly I referred to the M50(x).

 

Because the M40x is better in its own way. The CHC also has its draw backs, including a semi shit cable, and its decently heavy. I love my pair, been using it none stop for the past week.  (Yes, SSL, I have been using my big Shures tonight like I said I would, kinda forgot what I was missing.) 

If I wasn't beyond flatass broke and didn't use them so often, I would let you demo my pair. 

 

 

Glad to hear it, guy who puts on headphones sans cable before going to work.

[ShearMe]

Based on the "open" and "balanced" in the OP, I'd've said AD500X, or ADT400 if you were really scrunched for money.